al-Salat (Prayers)

Without doubt, the most important acts of worship are the daily prayers (al-Salat).

The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was always keen to remind Muslims of the importance of Salat, saying:

“Salat is the pillar of religion. If Salat is accepted (by Allah) all other deeds are accepted. If Salat is rejected then all other deeds are rejected”.

Muslims perform Salat 5 times a day, starting at dawn and ending with evening prayers.

Salat is performed in the following order:

The Fajr prayer

The Dhuhr prayer

The Asr prayers

The Maghrib prayer

The Isha prayers

Salat is performed in units, involving reciting verses from the Qur’an, bowing and prostrating among other acts.

Salat is performed to remind Muslims of their position with regards to God their Creator and to show humbleness in this regard.

There are rules to be observed when performing Salat, such as ritual purity (Taharah) by performing Wudhu (or Ghusl if necessary), and even if the time for Salat has passed, they must be performed at a later time.

Aside from the daily Salat, there are other prayers that are compulsory when certain events occur, such as when a natural disaster occurs or after certain acts in the Hajj (Pilgrimage).

Without doubt, the most important acts of worship are the daily prayers (al-Salat). Several important Hadith (narrations) from the Messenger of Allah indicate its unrivaled status as the Pillar of Religion. In one narration, the Prophet says:

“Salat is the pillar of religion. If Salat is accepted (by Allah) all other deeds are accepted. If Salat is rejected then all other deeds are rejected.”

Its importance is also demonstrated in the Holy Qur’an, where Salat is mentioned 64 times and the direct command to observe and uphold the prayers is mentioned 18 times.

Performing Salat on a daily basis confirms a Muslim’s commitment to God in observing His commands to be a righteous person. Because Salat is performed at intervals throughout the day, a Muslim will always have time to reflect and remember their Lord.

This has become increasingly important as Muslims live busier lives and often live in countries where Islam is observed by a minority. This act of remembrance also brings humility to a person, reminding them of their Creator and their position with respect to Him.

There are 5 prayers to be performed every day corresponding to these times: at dawn, afternoon and evening.

The prayers are called:

Fajr (dawn)

Dhuhr (midday)

Asr (afternoon)

Maghrib (sunset)

Isha (evening)

The basic method to perform the prayers is the same, the only difference between them being the actual length of the prayers.

Salat is prayed in units, each unit being called a “Ruk’a."

The Fajr Salat has 2 Ruk’a,

The Dhuhr has 4 Ruk’a

Asr has 4 Ruk’a

Maghrib has 3 Ruk’a

Isha has 4 Ruk’a

This gives a total of 17.

These are the obligatory daily prayers, but many Muslims choose to observe extra recommended prayers to seek more reward and blessings from God.

There are a list of conditions to be observed before the Salat and another list of conditions during the Salat for it to be valid.

The prerequisites are to do with time, Qiblah (direction of the holy city of Makkah which Muslims must face when praying), clothes that protect modesty, the place where prayers are said and Taharah (which is ritual purification before prayers).

The acts during Salat are composed of:

Niyyah (intention)

Takbirat al-Ihram (entering the ritual prayer phase)

Standing when reciting verses from the Qur’an

Bowing, prostrating, giving testimony to Allah’s Oneness and saying blessings on the Prophet and his family.

There are several things to be avoided while in the prayer state, a list of which can be found in the book of rulings that scholars issue.

These daily obligatory prayers must be observed even if the prescribed time for them has passed and a Muslim is said to owe prayers even after their death. Salat is obligatory on every Muslim who reaches the legal age of responsibility (around 9 for girls and 14 for boys but can be earlier or later dependent on reaching puberty). If a person is travelling, prayers can be said in shortened format, and if a person is ill, or temporarily disabled, then prayers can be said in modified formats for ease of worship.

Aside from these daily obligatory prayers, there are other prayers that are obligatory when an event occurs, such as when a Muslim passes away (prayer is said over the dead person’s body), when a profound natural disaster takes place (such as earthquakes) and when a person makes an oath to perform a prayer.

There is also the congregational Salat al-Jama’ah, prayed as a group, and the special Friday prayer, Salat al-Jum’uah, also prayed in a group, though these are not necessarily obligatory.

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